Ringwood State Park Cupsaw Brook Loop

Ringwood State Park Cupsaw Brook Loop is a 2.3 mile loop trail located near Ringwood, New Jersey and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The trail is primarily used for hiking and mountain biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.

DISTANCE

2.3 miles

ELEVATION GAIN

544 feet

ROUTE TYPE

Loop

dog friendly

hiking

mountain biking

Catch red on white blazed Ringwood Ramapo trail, cross bridge over stream then cross Sloatsburg Road. Climb a fairly steep section then bear left onto the yellow blazed Cooper Union Trail. Take this downhill until it meets the blue blazed Cupsaw Brook Trail turn right onto it. Follow the blue blazes up hill, then down and along an old woods road. It soon joins the red blazed Ringwood Ramapo and follows a stream and crosses a swamp. Just after the swamp and a stream crossing the Ringwood Ramapo splits off to the right. Follow it back to your car.

Hard is definitely a relative term, when I'm used to hiking in NH. Park in the 2nd parking lot; the trail head is the one nearest to the road. The bridge at the beginning of the trail is closed, so be careful crossing the stream, as the bigger rocks are not as stable as you would expect. This is the order of the markers I followed: red&white, yellow, blue, blue/red&white, and finally red&white. If you're looking for a place to practice with packs before a longer/more intense hike, this would be a good spot. If you're looking for a challenging hike with rewarding views, look elsewhere.